title: Preliminary results in quantitation of HLA-DRA by real-time PCR: a promising approach to identify immunosuppression in sepsis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reduced monocyte human leukocyte antigen (mHLA)-DR surface expression in the late phase of sepsis is postulated as a general biomarker of sepsis-induced immunosuppression and an independent predictor of nosocomial infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-nine patients with sepsis and blood culture growing pathogenic bacteria were studied. Blood samples were collected at day 1 or 2 after admission, for measurement of mHLA-DR by flow cytometry and mRNA expression of HLA-DRA and class II transactivator (CIITA) by qRT-PCR. Blood samples from blood donors were used as controls (n = 30).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant reduced expression of mHLA-DR, HLA-DRA, and CIITA was seen in septic patients compared with controls. HLA-DRA mRNA level in whole blood was highly correlated with surface expression of mHLA-DR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with sepsis display a diminished expression of HLA-DR at the monocyte surface as well as in the gene expression at the mRNA level. The mRNA expression level of HLA-DRA monitored by qRT-PCR correlates highly with surface expression of HLA-DR and appears to be a possible future biomarker for evaluation of immunosuppression in sepsis.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cajander
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bäckman
authors.forename: Elisabet
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tina
authors.forename: Kristoffer
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Strålin
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Söderquist
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Källman
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018805:Sepsis / Q000276:immunology*; D013548:Sweden
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens